Russell Crowe is preparing to step into the role made famous by the late Edward Woodward in a big screen remake of The Equalizer. The Gladiator star has signed up to tackle a new film adaptation of the 1980s action series, which starred Woodward as an ageing New York vigilante with a mysterious past who solves problems and settle scores.

The movie has been in development since 2005, but now looks set to finally move forward with Crowe on board, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The film is the latest in a series of 1980s remakes which have graced the big screen recently, including The A-Team and The Karate Kid.